Report: Bristol City U18s 0-0 Watford U18s

Monday, January 9th 2017

City Under-18s were held to a goalless draw by Watford in their first game of 2017.

Tom Richards excelled in midfield, executing a number of good challenges, including one in the 19th minute that began a swift counter. The ball eventually arrived at the feet of Marcus Day and his shot flashed wide of the post.

Many of City’s best chances fell to Ricardo Rees, who was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet in the 90 minutes.

After half-time Harrison Reeves threaded a lovely throughball, splitting the Watford defence. Unfortunately for City, the Watford keeper rushed off of his line and intercepted before Rees could have a decent attempt at goal.

As time ticked on the match finally came to life. Kel Akpobire beat his man down the right wing and earned a corner. Owen Barry fired a header towards goal from the resultant flag kick in what turned out to be one of the best chances of the encounter.

Moments later Watford worked the ball down the right, cut in and rattled the crossbar. From this point on Watford saw a lot more of the ball than City and held territory higher up the pitch.

As Watford launched attack after attack, City’s defence stood strong and kept them at bay.

With two minutes left, Josh Mortimore surged into the Watford half and fired a shot wide of the mark. It proved to be the last chance of the fixture, as it ended in stalemate.